Conservation of the Brown Bear in Georgia

Within the frames of this project NACRES used the
radio-telemetry method for large mammals monitoring for the first time. Currently
we monitor a brown bear attached with a radio-collar that lives on the territory
of Vashlovani National Park. The bear is male, about 3-4 years old, the
trajectory of its movement covers approximately 100 km2.

Now we can already enjoy our success. Everything did go
well. We captured a bear safely, injected it with a tranquilizing needle and
attached with a radio-collar. No complications followed. The bear feels good.

NACRES has been working on the brown bear conservation project for several
years. The preparatory period for this project was very long as we faced a
variety of problems. Since the method was fresh new, we had to disseminate
information and make some explanations on the safety of this method. Besides, we
were not provided with the necessary equipment, etc.

NACRES used the photo-traps for the research before the
implementation of this method. During a year we collected considerable amount
of materials on the territory of Vashlovani National Park. At present NACRES
works on the materials gathered through the photo-traps.

As soon as the above-mentioned data are processed and
evaluated, we will carry on our monitoring through the photo-traps again.

In spring 2006, when the first long expected bear was
captured we started the monitoring through radio telemetry. We tested various
lures (?copton?, which is solid remains of sunflower seeds after oil extraction;
fruit, honey, fish, meat, etc.). Despite the fact that we found fresh bear
tracks near the traps almost every day. The bear appeared to be very careful in
the beginning and the lures remained untouched. After a while our bear was bold
to find a secret how to destroy the traps without damaging itself and ate the
lures. ?We fell in a despair, it lasted long. We were nearly to give up. And finally
we used the last chance. We set two traps just one after another. And this
trick worked. The bear was captured. It was our triumph.? When Bejan Lortkipanidze,
the coordinator of the project went to have a look at the traps, he found a
captured bear there. Everything was destroyed, but the bear was caught by its
paw.

And what?s the end of this story? - Well, afterwards, as
we?ve already told you, everything went well. Our bear seems to have no
trouble. When it goes up the hill the radio-signal is spread to 10 km. But when
it goes down to the narrow gorges, the signal is in many cases unavailable.

Currently NACRES organizes the field trips. We are also planning
the long term field works. We are going to capture two more bears to fulfill our
research. Within the frames of the project NACRES organizes trainings for the employees
of the Vashlovani National Park. The success of this project dispelled all the rumors
concerning the radio-telemetric research. The employees of the Vashlovani National
Park are very interested in the implementation of this project and even
applied NACRES for the recommendations.

The results of our radio-telemetric monitoring show that we
have not obtained accurate information about bear movement on this protected
territory so far.